7 Best Pool Vacuum Cleaners

If you’re a homeowner with a pool, then you know how important it is to keep the water clean and sparkling.

The best way to do this is to invest in a good-quality swimming pool vacuum. A good vacuum cleaner is an essential tool for keeping your pool clean and free of debris. With so many different types and models of pool vacuums on the market, however, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

By having a clear understanding of the different types of pool vacuums and their features, you can make an informed decision about which one is best for your needs. Take a look at the following seven best vacuums for pools to find the perfect one for your swimming pool. This list includes inground, above ground, robot/automatic, cordless, rechargeable, and manual pool vacuum cleaners that might be a good fit for you.

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Best Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Our picks for the best pool vacuum cleaner are:

• DOLPHIN Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner – Best inground
• DOLPHIN E10 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner – Best above ground
• Hayward Pool Cleaner – Best suction
• AIPER Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner – Best cordless
• Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 – Best Polaris
• Polaris 9650iQ Sport Robotic Cleaner – Best automatic robot
• Pentair GW9500 Kreepy Krauly Great White – Best Pentair

If you’re looking for a way to reduce your maintenance and keep your pool spotless while saving money, then read on below to get our picks for the best pool vacuums.

1. DOLPHIN Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner

Best inground pool vacuum 

The Dolphin Nautilus CC is a robotic pool vacuum. The inground pool vacuum can travel up to 33 feet in length. It features a compact design and is easy to use, making it a great choice if you’re just starting to learn how to vacuum pools for the first time. This battery-operated dolphin pool vacuum will have your pool ready for splashing fun in just two hours.

It’s also eight times more energy-efficient than suction and pressure cleaners and doesn’t rely on your pool pump or filter to get the job done. You can also ditch the pumps and pool vacuum hose with each pool cleaning to save energy. Its cleaning path is to clean your pool’s floor and walls with ease.

Read our detailed buyer’s guide to explore other inground pool vacuum cleaners.

Pros

• It has strong suction power and can clean your pool’s floor and walls.
• Since it’s a pool robot vacuum, the Dolphin Nautilus CC is very easy to use.
• You can schedule cleanings ahead of time with this automatic pool vacuum.

Cons

• Some pool owners find that it gets stuck on ladders or steps.
• The corded power supply isn’t as long as other pool vacuum models.

2. DOLPHIN E10 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner

Best above ground pool vacuum 

DOLPHIN’s E10 Robotic Pool Cleaner is the best above ground pool vacuum and is ideal for up to 30 feet in length. It features a 3-stage filtration system and has an automatic shutoff timer that prevents overfilling of your pool.

The powerful motor provides constant suction on uneven surfaces, and it also includes a durable filter bag with zippered access for easy removal of debris. This unit uses energy-efficient technology to save you money on power bills, and it doesn’t require your pool’s pump or filter to operate. It is also very easy to use, making it a great choice vacuum for above ground pools for first-time pool owners. Simply place the unit in your pool and let it do its job.

Read our detailed buyer’s guide to explore other above ground pool vacuum cleaners.

Pros

• The E10 Robotic Pool Cleaner is very easy to use.
• The powerful motor provides constant suction on uneven surfaces.
• This unit uses energy-efficient technology to save you money on power bills.

Cons

• Some users find that the cord isn’t long enough.
• It doesn’t have a remote control.

3. Hayward Pool Cleaner

Best suction pool vacuum

The Hayward Pool Cleaner is the best suction pool cleaner and is ideal for in-ground pools up to 20 x 40 feet in length. It features patented self-adjusting turbine vanes that maximize power and minimize clogging. The unit also comes with a hose that gives you plenty of reach to clean your entire pool.

This suction pool cleaner is very easy to use and requires no tools for assembly. Simply attach the hose to your skimmer and let the PoolCleaner do its job. Plus, it comes with a built-in filter bag that helps keep your pool water clean and clear. This Hayward pool vacuum cleaner is a great choice for those who want an easy-to-use and affordable option.

Read our detailed buyer’s guide to explore other Hayward pool vacuums.

Pros

• The Hayward PoolCleaner is very easy to use.
• It comes with a hose that gives you plenty of reach to clean your entire pool.
• This suction pool cleaner has a built-in filter bag that helps keep your pool water clean and clear.

Cons

• Some users find that the unit is difficult to put together.
• It is not ideal for large or commercial pools.

4. AIPER Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner

Best cordless pool vacuum

The AIPER vacuum cleaner is a cordless pool vacuum cleaner that cleans a pool of up to 538 sq/ft in around 50 minutes. No need to worry about cord entanglement or cord damage, and it makes the cleaning process smoother than other pool cleaners.

This powerful yet easy-to-use cleaner operates without a cord, making it perfect for all types of pools. It features a smart cleaning system that ensures every nook and cranny is scrubbed clean in just minutes, so you can spend more time swimming and less time cleaning. Plus, its lightweight design makes it easy to transport from one pool to another.

Pros

• Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport.
• The AIPER pool cleaner vacuum is cordless, making it perfect for all types of pools.
• It features a smart cleaning system that ensures the entire pool is scrubbed clean in just minutes.

Cons

• The AIPER vacuum cleaner is more expensive than some other cleaners on the market.
• Some users find that the AIPER vacuum cleaner doesn’t clean their pool as well as other cleaners.

5. Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground Pool Cleaner

Best Polaris pool vacuum cleaner

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground Pool Cleaner is great value for any pool owner. It’s the most affordable way to keep your pool sparkling clean with its free and easy installation, dependable performance, and quality design.

This Polaris pool vacuum can be installed in minutes by anyone who has basic mechanical knowledge. No tools are required. This powerful cleaner cleans from bottom to top of your pool floor, including walls and steps, cleaning up fine particles like sand before they settle on the surface of the water. Because it won’t disturb tiles or other surfaces, you can also use this vacuum cleaner day in and day out without damaging your investment.

Read our detailed buyer’s guide to explore other Polaris pool cleaners.

Pros

• It can be installed in minutes by anyone who has basic mechanical knowledge.
• The Polaris Vac-Sweep is very affordable.
• This powerful cleaner cleans from bottom to top of your pool floor, including walls and steps.

Cons

• The float cord may not be long enough for some pools.
• Some users find that the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground Pool Cleaner doesn’t clean their pool as well as other cleaners.

6. Polaris 9650iQ Sport Robotic Cleaner

Best robotic pool cleaner

The Polaris 9650iQ Sport Robotic Cleaner is the best choice for those who want a robotic cleaner that can clean their pool quickly and efficiently. This cleaner features powerful suction that can remove dirt, debris, and even leaves from your pool in just minutes.

This is a top-of-the-line cleaner that offers features and performance that are unmatched in the industry. With its intelligent cleaning technology, this pool vacuum robot can clean your pool in as little as two hours. It also features a self-contained filtration system that captures and removes debris as small as two microns, so you can be sure your pool is sparkling clean with this automatic pool vacuum.

Read our detailed buyer’s guide to explore other robotic pool cleaners.

Pros

• There is a wall brush included for better cleaning.
• It is ideal for inground pools of all sizes and surfaces.
• This robot pool vacuum doesn’t require supervision, and it is automatic.

Cons

• The weight of the machine might be an issue for some people.
• It is more expensive than some other cleaners on the market.

7. Pentair GW9500 Kreepy Krauly Great White Inground Pool Cleaner

Best Pentair pool cleaner

The Pentair GW9500 Kreepy Krauly Great White Inground Pool Cleaner is a great choice for anyone who wants a powerful and reliable pool cleaner. This cleaner features a unique design that allows it to maneuver easily around obstacles in your pool, so you can be sure that every nook and cranny will be clean.

This cleaner has a patented design that offers superior performance and reliability. It features powerful suction that can remove dirt, debris, and even leaves from your pool in just minutes. Plus, with its self-contained filtration system, this cleaner will capture and remove debris as small as two microns, so you can be sure your pool is as clean as possible.

Pros

• It has a unique design that allows it to maneuver easily around obstacles in your pool.
• Its self-contained filtration system captures and removes tiny debris.

Cons

• It is more expensive than some other models.
• Some users find that it doesn’t clean small areas as well as they’d like.

What is the Purpose of a Pool Cleaner?

Pools add comfort and luxury to a home or commercial property. However, builders advise homeowners to clean their pools regularly to keep the pool safe, improve its aesthetic appeal, and make it last longer. At the height of the swimming season, cleaning should be done weekly. 

Different cleaner equipment options include vacuum cleaners (manual or automatic) and a skimmer or leaf rake. 

Cleaning and maintenance include various tasks, such as removing leaves, shocking, and winterizing. The most convenient cleaning tool nowadays is a pool vacuum cleaner for removing debris without needing to enter the water. 

Your pool filter removes some debris, but it cannot remove all the dirt and germs. Pool vacuum cleaners remove the residual debris, algae, and mud. They also get rid of dog hair which could clog the filters.

Having the right cleaner can help you make the most of your pool and keep it looking amazing all the time.

Do I Really Need a Pool Vacuum?

Are you on the fence about buying a pool vacuum? That’s okay. A lot of people get hung up on figuring out whether a pool vacuum is necessary or not.

At the end of the day, keeping dirt and grime out of your pool is critical for overall water balance and maintenance. How you get that junk out of your pool is up to you. Whether you want to remove it manually or invest in an automatic pool cleaner comes down to personal preference.

If you like being outside and are comfortable dedicating a few hours a week to routine maintenance, then there’s nothing wrong with using a manual vacuum. It will save you a lot of upfront costs on parts and equipment.

But the downside to that is it’s also going to cost you a lot of time. So, if you’re a person that values time as money, then yea — you probably need an automatic or robotic pool vacuum that can operate on its own.

What is the Most Effective Pool Cleaner?

Pool cleaners are divided into three main categories: manual, automatic, and robotic. The most effective are robotic models because of their ability to eliminate dirt and debris in the water with the touch of a button. They are also easy to use, program, and maintain. 

In the process of cleaning the water, they save homeowners time and money. Unlike manual or automatic models, robotic pool cleaners don’t have to be linked to the pool’s filtering system. They work independently and filter the water themselves. Then, instead of storing dirt and debris in the filtration system, they vacuum it directly into their own filter. 

As if this wasn’t enough, robotic pool cleaners are designed with smart technology that can navigate different shaped and sized pools. The best inground pool robotic cleaner is the DOLPHIN NAUTILUS CC. For above ground pools, the DOLPHIN E10 is a wise choice. 

Conclusion

It is important to invest in the right pool vacuum cleaner for your needs.

The best cleaners on the market have features and benefits that are designed to address specific cleaning situations, so it’s important you take a few minutes to consider what your individual requirements might be before making your purchase.

Maybe you need a cordless pool vacuum for a small pool or an automatic cleaner for a large one. No matter what your needs are, there is sure to be a model on this list that will suit you perfectly.

Choosing the right pool vacuum can be a daunting task, but there’s a pool vacuum for every type of pool and budget from suction-side to robotic. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for a summer of fun in the sun with a new summer pool vacuum.